Corner finishing tool



May 6, 1947. R 5 AMES 2,420,062

comma FINISHING TOOL- Filed April 18, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. P051527 6 AMES 4 TTOEZVEYZS' A May 6, 1947. Q 3, AMES 2,420,062

CORNER FINISHING TOOL Filed April 18, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N VEN TOR. 9055/97 6. ,4/1/55.

lnw, @wam A-TTOBNEYS Patented May 6, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CORNER FINISHING TOOL Robert G. Ames, Burlingame, (laliii, assignor of one-half to George Williams and one-fourth to Stanley Ames, both of Burlingame, Calif.

Application April 18, 1945, Serial No. 589,033

10 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in a corner finishing tool, and it consists of the combinations, constructions and arrangements hereinafter described and claimed and in the steps hereinafter set forth.

An object of my invention is to provide a corner finishing tool especially designed to smooth the tape in the corners of rooms that have been surfaced with wall board sections and the corner joints covered by a mastic and a tape strip. In my copending application, Serial N 0. 597,345, filed June 2, 1945, for Combined tape and plasic applicator, I show a tool for applying mastic to cover joints and for simultaneously applying a strip of tape over the mastic. It is necessary that the tape be smoothed after application and this is the purpose of the present invention.

A modified form of the device shows the finishing tool with means for feeding a mastic under pressure to the tool. This form of the device is used where it is desired to add a layer of mastic over the tape.

In another modified form of the invention, the sides of the corner finishing tool are hinged together so that the tool can adapt itself to corners of varying angles. In this form of the device the mastic is fed to the tool so that a layer of mastic may be applied to the corner before the tape is applied if desired, or after the tape is placed in position,

The device is simple in construction and is durable and eflicient for the purpose intended.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, and the novel features of the device will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the corner finishing tool;

Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the device;

Figure 3 is a View similar to Figure 1, but shows a modified form of the invention;

Figure 4 is a plan view of anothermodified form of the device;

Figure 5 is a section taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 4; and

Figure 6 is a side view of a portion of the handle shown in Figure 4.

While I have shown only the preferred forms of my invention, it should be understood that various changes or modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In carrying out my invention I provide a corner finishing tool that has a flexible blade A. The blade has two portions Al and A2 that extend at right angles to each other. The top edges 1 and 2 of the portions Al and A2 are inclined upwardly toward the center bend 3 that separates the two blade portions, see Figure 2. The side edges 4 and 5 of the blade portions extend outwardly at an angle from the upper corners E and l to the lower corners 8 and 9.

Wings or flanges B and C are integral with the edges 4 and 5 and are co-extensive with their lengths. The wings or flanges are triangular in shape with their apices at the upper corners 6 and 1 and their base Ill and H extending from the lower edges l2 and 13 of the portions Al and A2. The edges l4 and H) of the Wings B and C are designed to contact with the wall board surfaces and this will space the lower edges I2 and I3 away from both surfaces forming the corner. The top edges I and 2 will also contact with the wall board surfaces.

Figure 2 shows the portions Al and A2 provided with bleed openings l6 and II respectively. A bracket l8 i attached to the portion Al near its top and the bracket has a side 19 lying in a plane that bisects the angle formed by the side portions Al and A2, see Figure 1. A handle D is pivotally secured to the side I9 of the bracket at 20 and the handle is long enough to permit the operator to place the device at the upper portion of a room corner that is adjacent to the ceiling and then to move the tool downwardly throughout the entire length of the corner.

One novel feature of the invention lies in the provision of a strip of spong rubber E or other resilient material which is placed adjacent to the lower edges l2 and I3, see Figure 2. Figure 1 illustrates the strip as being provided with a V- notch 2| at its center so that the strip can be bent at its center. The ends 22 and 23 of the strip are spaced from the edges 4 and 5 to provide a passageway for any excess mud o mastic to flow between the ends 22 and 23 and the adjacent wing portions B and C. In actual practice the sponge rubber strip E is placed in a channel 24 that is secured to the portions Al and A2. The rubber strip will slidably contact with the tape that has been applied to the room corner and will smooth the tape and squeeze any excess mud or mastic from under the sides of the tape. This excess mud will be forced into the space provided by the blade portions Al and A2, the wings B and C, and the wiper strip E.

From the foregoing description of the various parts of the device, the operation thereof may be readily understood.

In my co-pending application, Serial No. 597,345, I show the combined tape and mastic applicator applying a strip of tape to a room corner. A layer of mastic covers the joint between the two wall board portions forming the corner and then the tape covers the mastic. The tape has portions extending at right angle to each other and lying parallel with the two wall board planes of the corner. It is necessary to smooth the t pe after it has been applied by the tool shown in my cO-pending case and the present corner finishing tool, shown in Figures 1 and 2, accomplishes this P pose.

The tool may be placed at the top of the corner so that the edges I and 2 will be disposed adjacent to the ceiling. The edges l2 and I? now become the leading edges, while the edges i and 2 act as trailing edges during the downward movement of the tool along the corner and over the tape. The operator applies suflioient pressure by means of the handle D to bring the sponge ru ber w ping lement E a a st t e tape and to cause this element to move alone over the suriace of the tape to smooth the latter and. to squeeze t ny exc ss mud or mastic. T e edg s 4 and i5 of the wings B and C contact with the wall board surfaces and confine any excess mastic squeezed from the tape within the boundaries medy theed es l and 2, the win s B and C and the wiping element E. Should an excess quantity of mastic be, received within the tool as it moved downwardly over the tape, this excess would pass through the openings formed by the space between the ends 22 and 23 and their associate wing portionsB and C. Usually the tool has sufiicient capacity to house any excess mastic.

The bleed openings [5 and H are for the purpose of permitting mastic or trapped air to pass therethrough during the operation of the tool and this will prevent mastic from exerting pressure sufficient to space the top edges l and. 2 away from the tape and wall board surfaces. It is obvious that the tool may be moved upwardly along the room corner as well as downwardly. The rub er wiper E has its portions El and E2 longer than the width of the tape portions so that the nds 22 and 23 ll extend bey nd the edges or the tape. The channel 24 holds the rubber strip in place although any other suitable securing means may be used. The rubber strip does the initial bedding oi the tape and'presses the tone d wn wit ou a y te dency or the memher t i and t ar the tap The b er st p uides the trai n ed es l and 2 of the tool.

Th lead ed es l d B are wider th n the tr ilin ed es I and 2 so hat any ex ss, m st will h forc d ut through he p ces provide between the end .2 and. 2 and their adjacent win po tions. The wines B and C s op th mastic irom oozin o t fr m under the t pe and adhering to the wall board. surface. Th ool will cause the tape to lie in the same P an s as the two wall board surfaces fo ming he corner. The blade A is flexible enoug or causing the portions Al and A; to yield a d. c o m to any surface irre ularitie The two p rtions A a d A2 are preferably held against the wall board surfaces by a. leaf-spr ng F. ho n in F gures 1 d O e nd of the leaf s ing is secu ed t the portion Al by rivets .25 or other suitable a tening means while the other end 36 bears against the portion A2. The sp in .F .will flex duri the operation of the tool.

In Figure 3 I show a modified term of the invention which is. the. sa e as tha sh wn n F tires 1 and. a extent that hose ect ons G and 32 leadto th b ade, port ons, a! and 2 or coni ing a mastic und r p essure t tho e por ions- The por n A and A2 have openings with r m 21 nd 8 th t re ive the ends of the h se sectio s The. hose sections communicate with a hollow portion 29 of the handle D and the end 4 of the handle is connected to a hose 30 that extends to the hopper and the pressure means for deliverin mastic to the hose under pressure of the type shown in my co-pending case, Serial No. 597,345. A valve 3| controls the flow of mastic to the device.

The operation of this form of the device is identical to that already explained for the form shown i Figures 1, and 2, when mastic is not fed to the portions A-l and A2 of the flexible blade. Frequently the tool is used solely for the purpose of smoothing out the tape and for squeezing out any excess mastic from under the tape. The valve 3| is not opened during this operation. Where it is desired to apply a layer of mastic over the tape, the valve 3'! is opened and mastic will be fed under pressure to the space between the blade portion Al and A2 and the adjacent wall board portions. The edges 1 and 2 will be spaced from the tape and permit the mastic layer to cover the tape as the tool is moved along the length of the ro m c r r.

still another modified form is shown in Figures 4 to 6 inclusive. This form Was originally disclosed in my co-pending application Serial No. 490,9i8. filed June 14, 1943. In this form of the invention the blade portions HI and H2 are hinged together at 32. The blade portions have elbows 33 and 34 for conveying mastic under pressure to the space X, provided between the blade portions and the room corner shown by the broken lines at Y. Flexible hos sections 35 and 36 have elbows 31 and 38 which are swivelly connected to the elbows 33 and 34. Figures 4 and 6 show the hose sections 35 and 36 communicating with a hollow portion 39 of a handle J. The hollow handle portions 39 is connected to a hose, not shown, which in turn extends to a hopper and a mastic feeding mechanism, not shown, which will deliver mastic to the device under pressure. The type of mastic feeding mechanism is shown in my co-pendil' g case.

The handle J is connected to the blade portions Hi and 1-12 by links 40 and 4l'which in turn are pivoted at 42 to the handle and have ball joint connections 43 and 44 with the blade portions HI and H2. The sides of the blade portions have wings 45 a 46 that contact with the wall board surfaces. Figure 5 shows each blade portion HI and H2 provided with a flat nozzle 4",. The blade portions are bent back upon themselves at 48 to form the nozzles and rivet 49, or other suitable fastening means space the portions 48 from the bla e. portion W p holes 50 are provided i each blade portion.

The operation of this term of the device is somewhat the same as that shown in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, except thatin this form the mastic is to be applied to the corner and this operation can be done prior to the tape being applied, should the tool shown in my oo-pending application, not be used. The device can also be used for applying a ay r of mastic over the tap The hin e 32 permits the blade portions HI and H2 to conform to the wall surfacesadiacent to the comer regardless of the angle made by the surfaces. The links 40 and 4|, together with the ball joint connections 43 and 44; pennit the handle J to assume diirerent angular positions with respect to the blade portions. The weep holes 50 permit any excess mastic to pass therethrough so, that the device will not have its trailing edges 5| spaced too great a distance from the wall board surfaces.

I claim:

1. A pressure plastic applicator comprising two plates hinged together, the outer ends of the plates having wings,nozzles disposed on the undersides of the plates, means for feeding mud to the nozzles under pressure, links pivotally connected to the plates, and a handle pivotally connected to the links, a pressure on the handle causing the links to move the plates into an interior corner for applying mud thereto.

2. A pressure plastic applicator comprising two plates having their adjacent edges hinged together, each plate having a trailing edge and. a nozzle on its under side paralleling the edge, means for delivering a mastic under pressure to the nozzles and including a hollow handle constituting a conduit for the mastic, flexible conduits heading from the hollow handle to the nozzles, and links pivotally secured to the handle and having ball and socket joints with the plates for moving the plates into an interior corner for applying mastic thereto.

3. A corner finishing tool for smoothing and embedding a tape in a mastic layer, comprising an angle-shaped member having a V-shaped trailing edge, and a resilient wiping member placed in advance of the V-shaped trailing edge for smoothing a corner tape when moved thereover and for embedding the tape in the mastic layer underlying the tape.

4. A corner finishing tool for smoothing and embedding a tape in a mastic layer, comprising an angle-shaped member having a V-shaped trailing edge, and a resilient wiping member placed in advance of the V-shaped trailing edge for smoothing a corner tape when moved thereover and for embedding the tape in the mastic layer underlying the tape, the wiping member being carried by the angle-shaped member and spacing the portion adjacent to the wiping member from the corner surfaces, said angle-shaped member having integral triangular-shaped wings whose apices extend from the trailing edge and whose side edges contact with the corner wall surfaces, whereby space is provided under the angle-shaped member for receiving any excess mastic pressed from under the tape.

5. A corner finishing tool for smoothing and embedding a tape in a mastic layer, comprising an angle-shaped member having a V-shaped trailing edge, and a resilient wiping member placed in advance of the V-shaped trailing edge for smoothing a corner tape when moved thereover and for embedding the tape in the mastic layer underlying the tape, the wiping member being carried by the angle-shaped member and spacing the portion adjacent to the wiping member from the corner surfaces, said angle-shaped member having integral triangular-shaped wings whose apices extend from the trailing edge and whose side edges contact with the corner wall surfaces, whereby space is provided under the angleshaped member for receiving any excess mastic pressed from under the tape, the ends of the wiping member being spaced from the wings to provide openings for the discharge of excess mastic when the space provided for the mastic is filled.

6. A corner finishing tool for smoothing and embedding a tape in a mastic layer, comprising an angle-shaped member having a V-shaped trailing edge, and a resilient wiping member placed in advance of the V-shaped trailing edge for smoothing a corner tape when moved thereover and for embedding the tape in the mastic layer underlying the tape, the wiping member being carried by the angle-shaped member and spacing the portion adjacent to the wiping member from the corner surfaces, said angle-shaped member having integral triangular-shaped wings whose apices extend from the trailing edge and Whose side edges contact with the corner wall surfaces,,whereby space is provided under the angle-shaped member for receiving any excess mastic pressed from under the tape, the ends of the wiping member being spaced from the wings to provide openings for the discharge of excess mastic when the space provided for the mastic is filled, said angle-shaped member having small openings adjacent to the trailing edge for permitting the escape of trapped air or mastic adiacent to the trailing edge, whereby the trailing edge can be kept in contact with the corner surfaces.

'7. A corner finishing tool comprising an angleshaped member having a V-shaped trailin edge, a resilient wiping element disposed in advance of the trailing edge, and means for feeding a mastic under pressure to the surfaces of the angleshaped member disposed opposite the corner surfaces.

8. A corner finishing tool comprising a resilient angle-shaped member having a trailing edge, a resilient wiping element carried by the member in advance of the trailing edge, a handle pivotally secured to the member, and a leaf spring bearing against the angle-shaped member for yieldingly holding the trailing edge and wiping element in contact with the corner surfaces.

9. A corner finishing tool for smoothing and embedding a tape in a mastic layer comprising an angle-shaped member having a V-shaped trailing edge, wings integral with the side edges of the angle-shaped member and being wedgeshaped in contour with the apices terminating at the outer corners of the trailing edge and the bases spacing the leading edge away from the surfaces of the corner for providing an excess masticreceiving space, the wings cooperating with the trailing edge for feathering the edges of the mastic layer.

10. A corner finishing tool for smoothing and embedding a tape in a mastic layer comprising an angle-shaped member having a V-shaped trailing edge, wings integral with the side edges of the angle-shaped member and being wedgeshaped in contour with the apices terminating at the outer corners of the trailing edge and the bases spacing the leading edge away from the surfaces of the corner for providing an excess mastic-receiving space, the wings cooperating with the trailing edge for feathering the edges of the mastic layer, the leading edge having a greater length than the trailing edge so that the base portions of the wines will be spaced farther apart than the apices, whereby any excess mastic passing around the base or leading portions of the wings will be spaced from the feathered edges of the mastic layer.

ROBERT G. AMES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

684,576 Lucas Oct. 15, 1901 

